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#variousartists&madprofessor #vinyl #vinylrecords
Floating Points’ Melodies International has recently shed light on Mad Professor’s 1984 lovers rock reggae album, ‘Ariwa Sounds: The Early Sessions,’ through a newly remastered version by Matt Colton. With Mad Professor’s reputation as a prominent dub master since the early 1980s, this album showcases his classic hands-on approach to dub, which has earned him recognition and accolades throughout his career.
‘Ariwa Sounds: The Early Sessions’ provides a captivating glimpse into Mad Professor’s collaboration with lovers rock artists in the mid-1980s. Featuring the mesmerizing vocals of artists such as Deborah Glasgow, Ranking Ann, Errol Sly, and Sergeant Pepper, this album showcases Mad Professor’s raw dubbing skills in a powerful and distinctive manner. Throughout the album, listeners can experience the unique blend of soulful reggae vocals and upfront dubbing, creating a truly immersive musical experience.
Thanks to the efforts of Floating Points and Melodies International, this long-overlooked album has been given the recognition it deserves. By being reissued alongside classic works by iconic artists like Womack & Womack and Mood II Swing, ‘Ariwa Sounds: The Early Sessions’ has the potential to captivate both new and old generations of dub reggae enthusiasts. Standout tracks such as the sultry and thunderous ‘Moonlight Lover’ and the laid-back ‘My Thing’ by Deborah Glasgow demonstrate the timeless appeal and artistic prowess of Mad Professor.
Upon meeting Mad Professor at his London studio, Floating Points discovered that ‘Ariwa Sounds: The Early Sessions’ was one of his earliest works. It came to fruition in the late 1970s and early 1980s after receiving a four-track recorder as a birthday gift from his wife. This gift served as the catalyst for Mad Professor’s venture into music-making after years of working as an electronics and audio equipment repairman. According to Mad Professor himself, it is highly unlikely that he would pursue a career in music if it weren’t for that fateful gift.
Originally released in 1984, ‘Ariwa Sounds: The Early Sessions’ is actually a compilation of tracks recorded between 1979 and 1981. These tracks represent the embryonic stages of Mad Professor’s recording and production career, as he was still in the process of establishing his studio, Ariwa, and the accompanying label. With minimal studio experience, Mad Professor set up his gear, including his first homemade four-track mixing desk, in the front room of his South London house. He positioned microphones as he saw fit and invited local musicians to collaborate, resulting in a raw and authentic sound captured on this album. Notable artists such as Errol Sly, Ranking Ann, Sergeant Pepper, Deborah Glasgow, Victor Cross, Sister Audrey, and his backing band, the Sane Inmates, all contributed to the album, leaving an indelible mark on the early sound of Mad Professor and Ariwa.
The collaboration between Floating Points’ Melodies International and Mad Professor has brought overdue recognition to ‘Ariwa Sounds: The Early Sessions,’ a remarkable lovers rock reggae album. By remastering the album from original tapes and showcasing Mad Professor’s dubbing skills, this reissue stands proudly alongside classic works by renowned artists. The timeless appeal of ‘Ariwa Sounds: The Early Sessions’ is sure to captivate a new generation of dub reggae enthusiasts while honoring the early stages of Mad Professor’s illustrious career.
